Dr. Madan Applauds Brandon Johannes' Loss of 250 Pounds After Lap Band Surgery As He Talks About His Results In February And Calls It "A New Way Of Life"

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Brandon Johannes has lost half his body weight after a successful lap band surgery. Dr. Madan points those who struggle with obesity to LAP-BAND® surgery as a starting point for healthy lifestyle change and offers a 20 min phone consultation through the month of April.

Dr. Atul Madan MD is a world-renowned expert in laparoscopic and bariatric program.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB)March 27, 2013

A Kansas City man in Missouri made local headlines when he lost half of his 500 pounds after lap band surgery. Brandon Johannes remembers weight problems as an issue even in grade school, and now he is able to walk down grocery aisles without panting. His doctor clearly outlined the cost of obesity, from arthritis to heart disease and strokes. Fortunately, Brandon listened, and credits the hospital with saving his life. He is in his mid-30's and attending college, so he can enjoy his "second chance" at life. He also says that two years after surgery, he has undergone a complete lifestyle change for the better. Bariatric surgeon Dr. Madan applauds Brandon's incredible success, agreeing that successful surgery includes an entire lifestyle change of restricted diet and exercise, and that the LAP-BAND® procedure can quickly instigate weight loss.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Forbes magazine both say that the financial cost of obesity is high, though they differ on amounts. CDC says it costs an average of $1,500 per person for additional healthcare. Forbes says that the overall annual cost for obesity is over $2,600 for men, and over $4,800 for women. Adding in the value of shortened years, because obesity can cause life-threatening health issues, brings the yearly tally to $6,500 for men and over $8,350 for women. Annual obesity costs can include use of fuel, life insurance, sick days from work, and disability.

This makes the cost of insurance-covered lap band surgery seem small, especially in light of the emotional weight that also lifts when physical weight is removed. Brandon Johannes pointed out what researchers are calling the 'emotional cost' of obesity, that though his photographs showed a smiling face, there was deep depression within. "I felt..so sad...You almost know that you need help, but you don't feel like there is help - but there is."

Though lap band installation is often a one-day outpatient procedure, weight loss surgery such as LAP-BAND® does take life management afterwards. Side effects such as vomiting often happen if food is ingested at normal speeds, or water is gulped instead of sipped. These incidents also point out the need for adjustments, so that patients are able to work on portion control without needless frustration.

Brandon Johannes eats food in bites smaller than a square inch, but on the other hand, grocery costs are down to $20 every two weeks. Dr. Madan agrees that surgery is "not a quick fix", but that the life costs are often outweighed by the life benefits. Having done more than 2,000 bariatric procedures, he has seen the need for patients to stick to the post-surgical follow-ups with their doctor for motivation and adjustments.

Dr. Madan has written 175 articles, and was the first in Memphis to perform a laparoscopic gastric bypass. To date, he has performed over, and was first to offer an incision-less treatment for post-operative weight gain. As the former Chief of Laparoendoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Division at the University of Miami, Dr. Atul Madan may well be considered an expert in his field. Dr. Madan won the 2007 SAGES Young Investigator Award, was honored by the American Medical Association Physican's Recognition Award, among others. Dr. Madan's patient reviews are consistently high, and he received the 2011 and 2012 Patients' Choice Award.

For more information on Dr. Atul Madan or the LAP-BAND procedure and to get a complimentary phone consultation through the month of April with Dr. Madan, call 1-800-472-4900, or review more on Dr. Madan on http://dr-madan.com/.